Moving Files In Linux

The Low Security Family

May 22, 2003

By
Dee-Ann LeBlanc

Let's face it, most of us are in a rut when it comes to moving our files
around. We learned how to use a simple FTP client years ago, and maybe
even updated to a GUI FTP client when we were feeling particularly
adventurous. There are actually a wealth of tools available for
transferring files, and some of them perform automation functions that
can easily assist your business in building site mirrors, synchronizing
directory contents, and more.

Keep in mind that for many of the tools covered here, there's only
really room to skim through their features. Some, such as wget and
rsync, are full of useful capabilities for those brave enough to read
their man pages and experiment.

I typically try to de-emphasize low security solutions, but there are
times when they're perfectly acceptable. Rare times, but they have their
uses, such as on a limited network that isn't connected to the outside
world, and where you're not worried about someone having installed a
packet sniffer. Another time these can be useful is when you really
don't care if someone is listening: for example, when setting up a
mirror for a publicly accessible web or FTP site, or keeping a
directory's contents synchronized with such a site.

These lower security tools include lftp, rcp, rsync, and wget. Many of
these programs can handle more than just FTP connections, and some even
have their own shell-like syntax for sophisticated use. Let's take a
look at how to use each of these, and also at when they are most useful
and when you want to hold out for a more secure solution.